Strictly Come Dancing professional Amy Dowden has revealed how a "brutal" remark from her dance teacher convinced her to undergo chemotherapy after her breast cancer diagnosis. The Welsh dancer, who now has "no evidence of disease" after treatment, admitted she was initially reluctant to go through with it.
Tough love from dance teacher Carol
Speaking on The Lewis Nicholls Show podcast, Amy recalled that when she told her dance teacher, Carol, about having five successful embryos, Carol responded: "That's great, but what good use is that going to be if you're not going to be around to have them."
Amy said everyone else was "treading on eggshells" around her during that time, but Carol's honesty was what she needed. She added: "It was the tough love and the honesty I needed. And she was like, 'Amy darling, come on, ok you're going to miss out on one Strictly season but you can do the next five to 10, really, come on!' And I needed to hear it, as brutal as it was, I needed to hear that."
Fear of losing her hair
Explaining her hesitation over the treatment, Amy said: "I was just scared, I didn't want to lose my hair." Amy was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2023 and, after undergoing chemotherapy and a double mastectomy, has been able to return to the Strictly dance floor.
Return to the ballroom
This weekend, Amy will perform with fellow pro Kai Widdrington after Delta Goodrem pulled out of Icons Week due to a rib injury. She was voted out of the BBC show earlier this year with partner Chris Appleton, leaving her "heartbroken". Amy is reportedly set to dance to Dolly Parton's Jolene. Strictly Come Dancing continues on Saturday October 17 from 6.15pm on BBC One and iPlayer.
